Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force to Meet in Tallahassee

www.flgov.com/gulfrecoverytaskforce

TALLAHASSEE – The Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force will hold a meeting on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Created by Executive Order 10-101, the Task Force will facilitate efforts by Florida businesses and industries in recovering from lost business and revenues due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“The immediate mission of the task force is to protect the economic security of the businesses and families in the coastal counties impacted by this unfortunate incident. They are our highest priority,” said Governor Crist. “Task force members bring together the experience and expertise that will help us put in place measures that essential to the economic recovery of the Sunshine State.

”The Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force will work with BP and state agencies to assess the economic impact of the oil spill and secure financial assistance as needed. The members are committed to ensuring the livelihood of Florida’s tourism and seafood industries, as well as other affected coastal businesses.

The members of the Task Force include:

Chris Hart, 41, of Tallahassee, is the interim director of Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and also serves as the president and chief executive officer of Workforce Florida. He will serve as chair of the task force.
Bill Stewart, 35, of Tallahassee is the deputy chief of staff to Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Amber Hughes, 31, of Tallahassee, is the financial and economic advisor to Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.
Nelson Mongiovi, 50, of Tallahassee is the director of marketing & development for the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
Lisa Echeverri, 44, of Tallahassee, is the executive director of the Department of Revenue.
David Halstead, 56, of Tallahassee, is the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Cynthia R. Lorenzo, 45, of Tallahassee, is the director of the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
Jerry McDaniel, 56, of Tallahassee, has served as director of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget since 2007.
George H. Sheldon, 63, of Tallahassee, is the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Michael W. Sole, 46, is the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will serve as an ex officio member.
Eugene “Nick” Wiley, 48, of Tallahassee, is the executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Senator Alfred “Al” Lawson, 61, of Tallahassee, has represented District 6 in the State Senate since 2000.
Senator Durell Peaden Jr., 64, of Crestview, has represented District 2 in the State Senate since 2000.
Representative Michael Horner, 42, of Kissimmee, has represented District 79 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2008.
Representative Jimmy Patronis, 38, of Panama City, has represented District 6 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2006.
Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro, 63, of Key Colony Beach, currently serves as commissioner on the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.
Commissioner Grover Cleveland Robinson IV, 40, of Pensacola, currently serves as chairman and District 4 representative of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. He has been the president of Grover Robinson and Associates Inc. since 1997.
Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers, 51, of Destin, is a past member on the Board of Directors for the Florida League of Cities and is the owner and editor of Life’s a Beach Publications LLC.
Dale A. Brill, Ph. D., 45, of Tallahassee, is the president of the Florida Chamber Foundation.
Jerry Cartwright, 64, of Pensacola, has been the state director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network since 1989.
Carol B. Dover, 52, of Havana, is the president and chief executive officer of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Ted Forsgren, 60, of Tallahassee, has been the executive director of Coastal Conservation Association of Florida since 1985.
Frank F. Herhold, 70, of Fort Lauderdale, is the executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida.
Taunya James, 34, of Apalachicola, is the president of the Franklin County Seafood Workers Association and runs the day-to-day operations of the family oystering business.
Dawn A. Moliterno, 39, of Miramar Beach, is the executive director of Beaches of South Walton County, a local tourist development council, and the president and chief executive officer of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce and its foundation.
Chris Thompson, 52, of Tallahassee, is president and chief executive officer of Visit Florida, the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida.
Robert F. Zales II, 57, of Panama City, owner and operator of Bob Zales Charters.
Oliver Darden, 65, of Pensacola, is the Chairman of the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce.

Task force members represent a variety of organizations dedicated to Florida’s recovery and will make recommendations to the Governor for immediate and effective actions that will combat further economic impact to Florida’s coastal businesses. The members are scheduled to have their first meeting on June 9, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in Tallahassee at the Betty Easley Conference Center. For meeting schedules, agendas and other task force information, please visit www.flgov.com/gulfrecoverytaskforce.

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